Dr. Maria Montessori, the Revolutionary in the Field of Education

The revolutionary in early-childhood education, Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952), believed in the creative potential of children and their right to be treated as individuals.

In 1896, she became the first woman in Italy to graduate from medical school. As an assistant doctor at the University of Rome’s psychiatric clinic, she became interested in teaching intellectually disabled children. From 1896 to 1908, she held various academic positions, but continued her studies of philosophy, psychology, and education.

The five core principles of Montessori education include:

• All children always deserve respect,

• From birth to age six, children have an incredible capacity to absorb information from their environment,

• Children are receptive to learning specific skills or knowledge at specific times,

• Carefully designed classrooms encourage independence and exploration; and

• Children can educate themselves when provided with the right tools and environment. 

Dr. Montessori used beads arranged in graduated-number units for pre-mathematics instruction. Using small pieces of wood to guide the eyes, taught reading from left to right. Pouring, measuring, and transferring liquids into graduated cylinders taught small-muscle movement and hand-eye coordination. This method encouraged individual efforts rather than cooperative efforts. Group activity occurred when students engaged in shared housekeeping chores.

Children can learn on their own with a bit of guidance. They ask themselves, “Does this work? No, what about this?” It also encourages creative thinking. Rather than regurgitating facts, they learned them through discovery. The Montessori method allows children to learn through discovery rather than indoctrination.

By accident, I had this type of education. I was very ill until sixth grade and missed a lot of school. My teachers sent my lessons home, but I received very little instruction since all the adults were working. I learned to question and reason. I created my art projects, read books that were far beyond my age, and taught myself knitting and needlework using kits that someone had brought me. For that, I am grateful.